Diary of a Low Budget Superhero

"Trillian, is this sort of thing going to happen every time we use the Infinite Improbability drive?" (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams)

One of the earliest entries in my online diary told all about "the vortex." In fact, the essay is probably called "The Vortex" but I don't feel like checking the April 2000 archives right now. More important is what the vortex is, and what it is may sound like pure fiction to the newly aware among you, my readers. Put simply, I seem to be at the center of the most improbable coincidences. I mean all the time. I'm 40 now, and I like to say I'm no longer surprised, but I lie. I am still surprised. Sometimes this shit is so weird!

Follow up:

So you know that Joe and I have been talking about moving to a more spacious apartment, somewhere slightly quieter than literally on the green line, preferable in a house rather than another apartment building. I still love our place, but year after year it has been wearing on me. It's just so small. And right now I want more quiet. This past Halloween weekend when Joe was in Cupertino for Apple training, I found myself trying to quietly write, only to have the deafening Comm Ave festivities harshing on my mellow. "Come on, it's 3 o'clock in the morning, how many more slutty superheroes and naughty nurses and vixen vampires are going to be saying "WOOOOO!" outside my window! The bars are closed, get your 3am pizza and go home!" This is the city version of "You kids get offa my lawn." It's time to move on.

I've been looking at places on my own, reporting back to Joe. With the CraigsList ad up on the computer I use it as a guide to tell him about the room size, the carpets, the laundry situation, the feel of the place. Bless his heart, he keeps saying he'll take my word for it, he hasn't even been to see a place yet! That's trust! Some places I've seen were OK on the inside, but walking up to the building was just depressing. One was particularly attractive on the outside, but the inner space was shaped like an insect - a long center hallway with rooms poking off the sides. I like a more open floorplan. Oh well, I thought, we're not in any hurry. Something that fits the bill will come up.

Last nite, I saw the ultimate place. It's the 2nd floor of an old house. The entire 2nd floor. It's huge. The word "charming" doesn't even suffice. GORGEOUS hardwood floors and original dark wood trim and doors...I cracked a joke about Murphy's Oil Soap but it wasn't really a joke. I am such a sucker for this kind of thing that I could clearly see myself in my mind's eye taking care of all that precious wood! A pantry. A dining room. A built-in hutch with what appears to be original glass. A BIG fridge. Interesting-shaped spaces like a little hallway here, an alcove there. My antique triangle-shaped mirror goes here, my old mahogany framed painting of a vase of roses goes here...

I have worked so hard my whole life, it's like God himself said "Lexi my dear, it's time something amazing happened for you."

Now, there is no guarantee that we can have it. The homeowners have other applicants. But I'm going to keep my fingers crossed from now until I find out. I'm trying not to get too excited, but I also cannot stop looking at the CraigsList photos and imagining where I'll put my antique doll collection and do I still need my baker's rack if I have that pantry and will my red sofa fit up the narrow staircase?

OH but I got off track! The vortex!

First, before I even got over there to meet her in person, Homeowner #1 recognized the name of my workplace from my email. This is unusual. You'd only know it if you're in the same industry. And so she is! I can see her workplace out my window, and we know people in common! What are the odds?

Then, I get there and she introduces me to Homeowner #2, and I find myself shaking hands with Boston rock royalty. I got a little flustered, truth be told, and I am afraid I began to babble like an idiot. Though we'd never met, WE have people in common, not only from the rock community, but also through work. My boss' family and hers are friendly with each other!

Right? WTF?

And not only that, but when Homeowner #1 told me the address, it sounded familiar...? It should, it is right next door to a 3-family home, and I know the people in two of the apartments. One of them is not only my good friend, but he works with me! I hired him 3 years ago and he's pure gold in every way, one of my favorite people. And HE knows both Homeowners from way back!

Right?

All this was swirling in my head as I walked through the rooms. Too much. GREAT people, GREAT house, perfect street, perfect distance from work.

The crazy thing is, I had no idea I would find something so soon. But if they choose us, we are SO moving! Which means I'm all of a sudden going to be asunder with boxes and stuff, and like, in two weeks...!

We shall see what comes of this...